Leaving and arriving

Maria tossed and turned that night, never really getting much sleep. She had terrible visions of what a naval captain might look like; forbearing, demanding and stern. She didn't doubt her ability to teach the young girl; it was moving from the safe confounds of the Abbey that made her afraid.

At Morning Prayer, Reverend Mother prayed for her. "Our Postulant Maria has been called to serve outside the Abbey. Father, keep her safe; give her guidance and your love."

She called her forward, she knelt at her feet. "Bless you my child. Go and serve God in this home where you are being sent. God be with you."

Maria left the comforting confines of the Abbey wearing a dark blue summer dress that appeared too big for her; it was all that could be found on such short notice; a large purse strap crossed her chest. She wore a wide brimmed hat to protect her from the harsh rays of the sun; carried her carpet bag and her only real possession, her guitar.

Captain von Trapp had summoned his children. "Good morning children."

"Good morning Father."

"Brigitta's teacher is coming this morning; I want all of you to meet her. I have all your assignments from school. Liesl, Friedrich, you take them and please help Louisa and Kurt.

"Marta, Frau Schmidt will help you with your reading today. Gretl, she has some stories to read that you will enjoy." Gretl didn't speak but she did listen attentively.

"Please listen for my whistle when the Fräulein arrives."

"Yes, Father."

Maria didn't have a long wait; the bus was right on time. The bright sun felt warm; already she experienced relief from the headache that had been with her for days.

"This is the lane to Aigen Fräulein, the captain's villa is about a half mile, not a long walk."

"Thank you sir, good day,"

"Good day Fräulein."

Aigen was just on the outskirts of Salzburg, an area of large villas and horse farms. Maria sang one of her favorite songs as she walked down the lane. "Raindrops on roses…." She sang it whenever she was afraid, it lifted her spirits.

But when she saw the villa, it stopped her in her tracks. She had never seen such a big house. "I could get lost in there." She thought to herself.

After opening the gate she sang the last phrase of her song, "and then I don't feel so bad."

Ring, ring went the doorbell. The door opened; there stood a tall older man, "Captain?"

"No Fräulein, Franz the butler, May I help you?"

"I'm the teacher from the Abbey school."

"Yes, yes, the Captain is expecting you."

"Place your things by the stairs. I'll tell him you are here."

Maria was taking in the immensity of the villa, especially the extra large flag hanging from the ceiling.

"I see you are admiring my flag."

Startled, she turned toward the voice, "Captain?"

"Yes, Captain von Trapp and you are my little girl's teacher, Fräulein…." he paused.

"Maria Kutschera," completing her name for him; he extended his hand to her; she felt a firm but kindly handshake.

"Forgive me Fräulein, I was expecting someone older."

"I'm almost twenty-two, sir; I finished the University two years ago."

"I see; let me call the children." He blew a shrill but melodious whistle; not once but twice. Maria saw two boys and four girls, dressed in uniforms, come down the stairs, all in a row and stand at attention before her.

"Fräulein, these are your pupil's brothers and sisters."

"Children."

"Hello, Fräulein."

"Hello children."

"Tell Fräulein your name and age please."

"Liesl, I'm sixteen;"

"Friedrich, I'm fourteen;"

"Louisa and I'm thirteen,"

"Kurt, I'm eleven. How old are you?"

"Kurt you don't ask a woman her age. Marta,"

"I'll be seven on Tuesday, and Gretl is my younger sister, she's five."

"It's nice outside, please take your morning walk and then clean up for lunch. Fräulein and I will go see Brigitta."

The children barely got outside. "She's so young."

"She is Louisa; but she smiles nice, I like her."

"You like everyone, Marta. Brigitta and I will talk later." Kurt answered as he kicked a dirt ball down the path.

The Captain took Maria up a narrow flight of stairs to a large bedroom. "Brigitta you have a visitor."

"Good morning Father, I do."

"This is your teacher, Fräulein Maria."

"Hi Fräulein, are you a real teacher?"

"Yes, Brigitta, I taught fifth grade, your grade. Do you like school?"

"Yes, Fräulein, I just wish I didn't have to stay in my bed so much."

"I see, maybe I can make it fun, how about that?" Brigitta had a real smile. "I'm glad that makes you happy."

"Come Fräulein, I'll show you to your room. Brigitta I'll be back to get you for lunch."

"Thank you Father."

"Fräulein, this is a big house."

"Yes, I know. I could get lost in here."

"Here's a whistle for you, carry it with you all the time; if you can't find your way blow it a couple of times, Frau Schmidt or Franz will come find you."

"If you say so Captain, thank you."

"Here we are, Fräulein, let Frau Schmidt know if you need anything. The bell for lunch will ring in about an hour; straight down the hall you'll find the stairs.

"Thank you Captain."

Maria peered into the room; she had never seen such nice things. The linens on the bed were beautiful; the room had three windows. She opened a door, "oh my, I have my own bathroom." Never in her life had she had a private bathroom.

"Hello." Maria heard. "I'm Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper. Maria, right?"

"Yes, pleased to meet you."

"The Captain tells me you will be with us until school is out in June. Supposedly he will marry by then and the children will have a mother again."

"That will be nice for them; I know they miss her."

"Yes, it has been a very sad four years. The lunch bell should ring soon, we'll talk again."

"Yes, that would be nice; good day."

Maria took her few things out of her carpet bag, she had only one other dress to hang in her wardrobe; one left by the latest postulant; a few books and a small cross that she placed on her nightstand. She freshened up and waited. Bong, bong; the sound startled her; she followed the Captain's directions to the stairs and located the dining room and waited to be told where to sit.

"Fräulein, your place is at the opposite end from me."

"Yes, sir."

As soon as the Captain picked up his fork so did the children. "Fräulein, why aren't you eating?"

"I will, Brigitta, as soon as I say the blessing." She started with the sign of the cross. Maria closed her eyes and said to her self, Bless this food and may it enable me to serve you well. Again she made the sign of the cross. When she lifted her head everyone was looking at her. Somewhat embarrassed, she spoke. "It's a habit when you're a postulant, you always pray before meals."

The Captain had a funny look on his face and the older children looked at each other with some kind of unspoken language.

"Fräulein, perhaps you can start Brigitta on a couple of her lessons. Children I corrected your math papers, you need to review them. Remember, tomorrow you go back to school."

"Yes, Father."

Maria couldn't help but notice how formal they were with him. They were not happy children. The Captain took Brigitta back to her room where Maria met her to begin her lessons.

"Brigitta, what's your favorite subject?"

"Reading"

"I thought so, you have many books. Do you have some favorites?" She listed the usual, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Dickens's classics for young readers and then she showed her the book her aunt had given her; a small book of short stories. Maria would borrow it later to read.

"Let's begin with some basic spelling words." Maria read a list of words appropriate for a fifth grader. "While I grade this one, here's a math paper to complete.

After a few science questions, "Now you can read a short story and write a summary."

Maria checked her math problems while Brigitta completed her summary. "Very good, Brigitta, I think that's enough school work for today. Tell me, what do you do for fun?"

"We don't have any fun, Fräulein. Father is too sad. The only fun we had was when my brothers and sisters played tricks on the teachers and the governesses for Marta and Gretl."

"Why did they do it?"

"To make Father send them away,"

"How many have you had?"

"You're number twenty-seven."

"Twenty-six before me! But, you're such nice children."

"I'm glad you think so; maybe things will be different with you. Fräulein, I usually take a short nap before dinner; I'm a little tired."

"I'll go to my room and make your lessons for tomorrow. I'm taking a few books with me to read. See you at dinner."

"Maybe Fräulein, sometimes I eat here." Maria shook her head as she walked away. "Something is very strange. She said under her breath.

Back in her room, Maria was thinking so deeply, she almost missed the dinner bell. It pained her to find that Brigitta had not been brought down for dinner. How sad she thought, the young girl all alone. She didn't know that Kurt would sneak up there to spend time with her.

"Hi Kurt."

"Well, Brigitta, tell me about your teacher."

"I like her, she's nice. She always has a smile."

"Marta said the same thing."

"Do you want us to play tricks on her?"

"No, no Kurt, I want her to stay!"

"Okay, I'll tell the others. We have time for a couple of games of checkers."

"Ha, I beat you that time Kurt."

"Good night Brigitta."

"Good night Kurt."